Anxiety decisions — 2014

The Board found that the Veteran's current anxiety disorder began during or was caused by his service, specifically his service period in the Republic of Vietnam.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development and adjudication, including reconsideration of the initial rating assigned for service-connected bipolar disorder and anxiety disorder, and a supplemental VA medical opinion regarding her ability to work.

Service connection is granted for a psychiatric disorder, adjustment disorder with anxiety, and sleep apnea. A 50% disability rating is assigned for migraine headaches.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as it includes the newly-granted service-connected condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are found to be so disabling as to prevent him from dressing himself and result in physical incapacity which requires care or assistance on a regular basis. The Board finds that the Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to symptoms of diffuse bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness and dysphagia resulting in an inability to ambulate and difficulty with activities of daily living such as dressing, eating, personal hygiene, and medication management.

The Board denied service connection for an innocently-acquired psychiatric disorder, including schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety disorder. The claims for respiratory disorder (emphysema and bronchitis) and dental disorder were also denied. The Veteran's request to reopen these claims was not successful.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anxiety and depression is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining an addendum from a VA examiner regarding the etiology of his psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 70% since May 7, 2013. Before that date, the rating was granted but not specified.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and therefore cannot establish service connection for any of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his current acquired psychiatric disorder/s. The case will be reviewed by the RO after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional mental health records and a new examination by a VA psychiatrist to determine if PTSD can be diagnosed, as well as whether any other disability may be related to military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The case will be reconsidered after these records are obtained.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for PTSD and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a diagnosis of anxiety disorder NOS. The Veteran's previous diagnoses of PTSD are considered outdated and not relevant to current claims.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 7, 2008 for the award of a 70 percent rating for anxiety disorder, NOS. The Veteran's earlier TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his service connection claim.

The Veteran's diagnoses of generalized anxiety disorder and depressive disorder, not otherwise specified (NOS), had their onset in service and were superimposed on his personality disorder, creating additional psychiatric disability. The Board granted the claim for service connection.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and anxiety disorder, finding that his current diagnoses are at least as likely as not related to his in-service stressor.

The Board found no nexus between any of the Appellant's currently diagnosed psychiatric disorders and his ACDUTRA service, thus denying service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, including depression, PTSD, anxiety disorder, and psychosis, is being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left upper extremity disorders (claimed as bilateral arm pain and numbness) secondary to the service-connected cervical strain. The Veteran's tension headaches with migraine features are also rated higher than 10 percent. However, further development is needed due to incomplete information regarding her psychiatric conditions and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his PTSD with generalized anxiety and dysthymia was denied. His current evaluation of 50% is based on occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and depression, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.